If you’ve had gaps in your National Insurance (NI) record, perhaps from time spent abroad, unemployment, or low earnings, you might be able to fill those gaps by paying Class 3 voluntary NI contributions. These payments can help you qualify for the full State Pension and other benefits.

What Are Class 3 Contributions?

Class 3 National Insurance contributions are voluntary payments you can make to top up missing years in your NI record. They're designed to help people who haven’t paid enough NI in a given tax year to count it as a ‘qualifying year’ for benefits like the State Pension.

How Much Do They Cost?

As of the 2025/26 tax year, Class 3 contributions cost:

• £17.45 per week (equivalent to £907.40 per full year)

That’s a fixed rate, regardless of your income or employment status, and you can usually pay for one or more past tax years if you're eligible.

Why Pay Voluntary Contributions?

Paying Class 3 contributions can be a smart financial move if you:

• Have fewer than 35 qualifying years on your NI record
• Want to increase your future State Pension amount
• Have gaps due to living abroad, being unemployed, or working part-time on low pay

Each extra qualifying year can add up to £303.60 per year to your State Pension (based on current rates). That means the cost of a Class 3 year (£907.40) could pay for itself in less than four years of retirement.

Who Can Pay?

You can usually pay Class 3 NI if you’re:

• Under State Pension age
• Missing full NI years from the last six tax years (or longer in some cases)
• Not already eligible to receive credits or Class 2 contributions

It’s a good idea to check your National Insurance record on GOV.UK to see whether you have any gaps and how many more years you might need.

Should You Always Pay?

Not necessarily. Before paying Class 3 contributions, consider the following:

• You may be entitled to National Insurance credits for reasons like caring for children or claiming certain benefits
• You may already have enough qualifying years for the full State Pension
• You might be eligible to pay Class 2 instead if you’re self-employed, which is much cheaper (£3.45 per week)

It’s wise to speak to the Future Pension Centre or get financial advice before making a payment.

How to Pay Class 3 NI

You can usually pay Class 3 contributions by:

• Bank transfer or cheque after contacting HMRC
• Setting up a payment plan if you want to spread the cost

Learn how to make a payment on the GOV.UK website.

If you're just a few years short of qualifying for the full State Pension, Class 3 contributions can be one of the best long-term investments you can make.